CROSTINI $3.72

Crostini vs Bruschetta

If anyone was wondering the difference between Crostini and Bruschetta, they need not look much further then this blog. In my extensive studies(haha), I have found the differences to be slight, and actually only the preparation is a bit different.
For those that dont even know what the heck these two Italian sounding items are, the main ingredient and constant variable is slices of Italian or French bread.(and how can anything be bad that includes Italian or French bread?)

Crostini by Italian definion means "little toasts". Italian bread sliced really thin, and drizzled with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and toasted in oven until crisp. Then toppings can be added on- vegetables:spinach, mushrooms, peppers, or meat such as proscuitto, or cheeses melted. Crostini is similar to an american version of a crouton, except the bread is not cut into small pieces, they are round slices.
Bruschetta on the other hand comes from Italian word 'bruscare' meaning to roast over coals. Rather then cook the italian or french bread in the oven, the bread is cooked over open flame in a fireplace or in more modern times on the grill. The bread is also drizzled with olive oil, garlic, and salt and pepper, but the bread is cut much thicker. The same rules apply, the bread can be topped with what ever appeals. The most common bruschetta in this counry is Tomato, Basil, Garlic and olive oil, that is espcially great with tomatos from the garden in the summer.
So today I am going to prepare a crostini because I am crisping the bread in the oven, not over a flame, and the bread is sliced really thin.
I think it is important to note that the pronunciation for Bruschetta is Bru-sket-ah. The "sch" is hard sounding, not soft. OK, that said, here is the oh so simple recipe for Crostini:

1 half loaf Italian hard crusted bread, sliced thin $1.99
2 tablespoon olive oil.20
2 garlic cloves minced.20
salt and pepper
in small bowl add garlic and olive oil
line bread on bake pan
brush with oil
sprinkle on salt and pepper
bake bread at 300 for 19 minutes, or until bread is crispy

For topping
I accidently opened jar of black olives instead of black beans, so rather then eat the whole jar(and i could),I decided we going to make Olive Tapenade.
20 black olives pitted and chopped in really small pieces.99
1 tablespoon olive oil.10
2 tsp minced garlic.20
1 tsp dry or fresh parley.05
salt and pepper

combine all ingredients together
spread evenly on toasted bread